1,500 kg gold from discarded phones?

Source: khaleejtimes.com

Believe it or not, 1,500 kg of gold, one million kg of copper and 30,000 kg of silver can be extracted from the 100 million discarded mobile phones in China.
People’s Daily reported Thursday that about 400 million mobile phones were discarded each year, China accounting for nearly 100 million.
 According to the daily, a mobile phone has various precious materials including 0.01 percent of gold, 20-25 percent of copper and 40-50 percent of recycling plastic.
A study shows that 150 grams of gold, 100 kg of copper and 3 kg of silver can be extracted from one tonne of discarded mobile phones.
Under current situation, 100 million discarded cell phones in China weigh 10,000 tonnes.
And this would fetch a bonanza of 1,500 kg of gold, the daily said.

The Ring hails Donaire as world's best 1-punch KO artist

MANILA, Philippines – Reigning WBO super bantamweight champion Nonito “The Filipino Flash” Donaire Jr. has been hailed by The Ring Magazine as today’s top one-punch knockout artist in boxing.

Donaire, a 4-division world champion, topped the list that includes Marcos Maidana, Juan Manuel Lopez, Wladimir Klitschko, and Sergio Martinez.

“Does his best work with a masterful left hook … Has KO’d nine of his last 12 opponents … Is so confident in his punch that he occasionally dabbles as a southpaw, switching his stance during fights … Scored 10 of his 18 career knockouts in the first three rounds,” said The Ring’s Don Stradley.

Donaire is The Ring's No. 4 pound-for-pound best boxer in the world.

Stradley pointed out Donaire’s stoppages over Vic Darchinyan and Fernando Montiel as the best examples of The Filipino Flash’s knockout prowess.

Donaire won the IBF flyweight title by knocking out cold then-undefeated Darchinyan in 2007. The victory was awarded by The Ring as 2007 "Knockout of the Year" and "Upset of the Year."

In 2011, Donaire won the WBC and WBO bantamweight titles by taking out Montiel in just two rounds. It was awarded as The Ring’s 2011 Knockout of the Year.

The Filipino Flash last fought against Wilfredo Vazquez Jr. in February when he won the WBO super bantamweight title.

He is planning to climb the featherweight ranks in a year’s time.

Meanwhile, 8-division champion Manny Pacquiao was included in The Ring's honorable mention list.

Pacquiao, The Ring's top pound-for-pound boxer, is more known for his volume punching rather than his one-punch knockout power.

Playing time for Taj Gibson: A pleasant problem for Tom Thibodeau

Source: suntimes.com

Until Tom Thibodeau finds a way to turn Carlos Boozer and Taj Gibson into one player, he’ll face the same challenge every game: how to get the most out of two players who play the same position about as differently as two players who share the same position can.

The 6-9, 266-pound Boozer is the pick-and-pop shooter who does more little things then you think, but still shouldn’t be on the court if he’s not scoring. The 6-9, 225-pound Gibson doesn’t have Boozer’s polished offensive game yet and can’t set as massive a screen, but he plays the game as if Thibodeau himself had built him from scratch: he’s a standout individual and team defender; he rebounds, blocks shots, provides precious energy and makes the most of short minutes. Gibson still might not be ready for 40 minutes a night over 82 games. But he’s never a liability on the floor.

The Boozer-Gibson combination worked as well as ever in the Bulls’ 98-77 victory over the travel-weary Atlanta Hawks on Wednesday night. Boozer scored 20 points on 8-for-13 shooting with nine rebounds in 30 minutes. Gibson added 19 points on 8-for-12 shooting with six rebounds in 24 minutes. And while Boozer’s production can’t be ignored, Gibson’s contribution was more valuable and bodes better for the playoffs. Simply, he took Josh Smith, one of the hottest players in the league, out of the game.

Smith, who came in averaging 26.8 points and 13.2 rebounds in his previous five games, was on his way to another big night against the Bulls in the first quarter. Defended by Joakim Noah, Smith scored nine points on 4-for-5 shooting in a 4:33 stretch to help the Hawks take leads of 13-5, 16-9 and 18-15.

But once Gibson entered the game, Smith was never the same and the tide suddenly turned in the Bulls’ favor. Smith tried bullying Gibson with a post-up move right away, only to turn and have Gibson block his shot. Smith missed his next three shots against Gibson and was totally discombobulated by the end of the half — not quite as eager to shoot as he had been and settling for outside jumpers.

By the time he scored on Gibson again, the Bulls led 83-66 in the fourth quarter. Smith finished with 19 points, but missed 11 of 15 shots after Gibson entered the game. And Gibson outscored him 11-2 in the final quarter, just as he did in the pivotal Game 5 of the Eastern Conference semifinals last season.

‘‘I’ll take it,’’ Gibson said, ‘‘because when a guy like that gets hot late, it’s really tough to slow him down. I just tried to come in and be aggressive, try to frustrate him, push him — anything I could to slow him down.

‘‘My teammates behind me, especially on the post-ups when he would back me down low, we got good guard support, digging, making him pick up the ball and it went in our favor.’’

Thibodeau also did not want to put the focus on Gibson vs. Smith and noted that the Hawks were playing their fifth game in six nights. But Gibson deserved at least his share of the credit.

‘‘Not only his individual defense, but his team defense,’’ Thibodeau said. ‘‘Josh Smith is a load. He’s having an incredible season. But our second unit — Taj and Omer did a great job of anchoring the defense.’’

The Boozer-Gibson rotation bears watching in the final month of the season. Though Boozer still disappears at key times, he is healthier, more comfortable and more productive than he was last season. He has scored 20 or more points in six of his last 11 games. The Bulls need him.

But more and more, Gibson provides a dimension the Bulls can’t live without, either. His minutes are starting to creep up — 30, 27 and 24 in the last three games after averaging 19.3 in his first 46. It’s difficult to predict if Gibson will ever be as effective playing starter’s minutes as he is in his reserve role. But at the rate he’s progressing, he Bulls will want to find out for sure sooner rather than later.

UP only Asian university in mock court tilt

Source: abs-cbnnews.com

UP law students show they're at par with world's best

WASHINGTON D.C. - Aspiring lawyers from the University of the Philippines appeared on track on vindicating their dismal showing at the last Bar exams, today becoming the only team from Asia and the Third World to enter the “Round of 8” in the largest moot court contest here.

Some 137 teams from 80 countries – from an original field of over 600 law schools – made it to the 2012 Jessup International Law Moot Court competition that culminates with the Jessup Cup World Championship on Saturday.

“We continue to be undefeated and today we won the run-off and the ‘octo-finals’ against Greece which means we’ve qualified for the quarterfinals. We’re now in the top 8 of the world,” lawyer Harry Roque Jr., the UP team coach, told ABS-CBN News.

UP will be competing against teams from Oxford, Columbia, Hastings, Oakland and Ottawa universities as well as law schools from Russia and Melbourne, Australia.

More significantly, one of the case studies tackled by the moot court was culled from the Vinuya “comfort women” case (petition seeking compensation from Japan for abuses committed during World War II) that’s reportedly one of the bases for the impeachment of Philippine Supreme Court Chief Justice Renato Corona.

“The problem is based on a case that was one of the reasons why the Chief Justice was impeached, ang kaso ng mga comfort women at kung tama ba ma-invoke ang state immunity ‘pag nagkaron ng paglabag sa tinatawag na ‘jus cogens’,” Roque revealed.

He does not believe this gave UP an edge, asserting that if they enjoyed any advantage it was in the Filipino law students’ passion for what Roque calls an injustice.

“Whoever wrote the case study based this on a case in the Philippine Supreme Court that still has not been resolved with finality,” he explained.

Roque said he doubts this was a coincidence because the Vinuya case has earned international notoriety for its various twists and turns – especially after Supreme Court Justice Mariano del Castillo was accused of plagiarism in the Vinuya “ponencia”.

The High Tribunal tried to sanction the UP College of Law after it called for Del Castillo’s resignation.

“The Vinuya case has garnered international attention because of the findings of plagiarism and the punishment imposed on the UP law faculty where there was an international appeal for the Philippine legal community,” Roque said.

“Human right defenders should not be victim themselves of human rights violations,” he added.

The UP law students’ impressive run in the moot court competition – said to be the biggest ever held – “is not only a vindication, it’s a better measurement of the quality of legal education we have in UP.”

For the first time in memory, none of the most recent Bar topnotchers were from UP.

UP beat Ateneo, San Beda, Silliman and the University of the Cordilleras to earn the right to compete in the Jessup international moot court contest.

The six-person UP team bested Boston College last Tuesday, Japan and Kenya last Wednesday and Greece and Argentina yesterday.

“We’re here competing with the best in the world,” Roque said.

DFA warns Pinoys vs online Canadian immigration scams

Source: abs-cbnnews.com

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) warned Filipinos against bogus websites offering "immigration deals" and claiming to be affiliated with official Canadian government websites.

In a statement, the DFA said it received a report from the Philippine Embassy in Canada that several websites have been targeting would-be immigrants in the country by offering immigration deals and high-paying jobs with fees. The websites even use the Citizenship and Immigration Canada logo.

"The DFA wishes to inform the public that the only people who may charge a fee to represent or advise people in connection with a Canadian immigration proceeding or application are authorized immigration consultants, lawyers, Quebec notaries, and paralegals regulated by a law society," it said.

"Under Canada's immigration program, everyone is treated equally, whether they hired someone to represent them or not," it added.

Citizenship and Immigration Canada and the Competition Bureau offers advice on how to avoid becoming a victim of immigration fraud:

• Be wary of websites advertised in unsolicited e-mails from strangers and do not give out personal information unless you know who you are dealing with.
• Before hiring an immigration representative, do your homework: ask for a referral from someone you trust, check their credentials, and discuss the services they will offer. For information on how to choose an immigration representative, you may visit CIC's website at www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/representative/index.asp.
• There is no "immigration consultant" website that is part of, or affiliated with, the Government of Canada. If you are suspicious about a website, do a web search to see if anyone has reported any problems with that site.
• Do not pay for offers of guaranteed entry to Canada or faster processing of your application. These claims are false.

The Canadian government has launched an advertising campaign to warn prospective immigrants, permanent residents and Canadian citizens about immigration fraud. A video on "marriage fraud" is also included on the website.

The website (www.immigration.gc.ca/antifraud) provides information on how to immigrate to Canada "the right way."

Canadian authorities encourage everyone to report immigration fraud by calling the Border Watch Tip Line at 1-888-502-9060. 

Heejun leaves, Jessica stays in Idol Top 8

Source: abs-cbnnews.com

MANILA, Philippines - Filipino-Mexican-American belter Jessica Sanchez continued her ascent in the American Idol rankings as she landed in the top 8 of the hit talent show.

Heejun Han, the 22-year-old nonprofit organizer from New York, got the boot after receiving the fewest viewer votes. Skylar Laine and Hollie Cavanaugh completed this week's bottom 3.

Sanchez has consistently won praise from the AI judges for her vocal control, excellent song choices and great fashion.

AI judge Randy Jackson earlier predicted that Sanchez and Nashville native Colton Dixon might be competing at the finale in May.

Many of the show's followers, as well as critics, have expressed their desire to see a female contestant take the “American Idol” crown this year.

"I hope that a female wins this year. If not me then one of the other girls. But everybody here has been amazing so I really don't know," Sanchez said.

Male contestants typically get higher vote turnout due to the show's popularity among young female fans.

“I hope that changes but whatever happens, we're all going on tour," said contestant Elise Testone.

It's been five years since Jordin Sparks, the last female “American Idol” winner, took home the title and Sanchez’s fans are hoping that she will be the one to break the guys' winning streak.

This week, the “American Idol” Top 9 contestants got to sing their own idol's songs with rocker Stevie Nicks as the mentor.

Most of the Top 9's performances impressed the judges.

Sanchez picked "Sweet Dreams" by Beyonce and reinterpreted it as a ballad.

The judges were impressed and Jackson said Sanchez is the best singer he's heard in years.

"I've learned so much from the judges, from the other contestants, from this whole experience,” Sanchez said. "It just brought a lot more confidence out of me, more of a performer. I love everybody here so much and they've taught me so much. I don't ever wanna leave." 

Eight health mistakes to avoid

Source: realbuzz.com


There are many different things that can be detrimental to your health - but here are eight health mistakes you really need to avoid

1. Substituting the gym for daily activity
It’s great that you go to the gym three times a week, for an hour a time, but overall, that amounts to three hours a week of activity out of a potential 168! It’s not so great when you put it like that, is it? In a fascinating study at the University of Maastricht, researchers found that gym-goers burn fewer calories on an overall weekly basis than people who are generally active (walking and cycling to get around and performing normal daily activities) but do no ‘official’ exercise. The researchers speculated that gym goers in the study subconsciously used less energy the rest of the time, believing that they had ‘done their bit’ already. So by all means, keep up the gym visits, but don’t think it gives you carte blanche to spend the rest of the day on the sofa!


2. Thinking ‘low fat’ means ‘low calorie’
If more of us made ‘always read the label’ our mantra, we’d be a healthier nation! Lots of us scoff down foods flagged up as ‘reduced fat’ or ‘low fat’, believing that they must be low calorie. But here’s the thing: firstly, just because the fat has been ‘reduced’, it doesn’t mean the product is actually low in fat. For example, if the original fat content of a standard product is 20g, and in the reduced-fat version it has been reduced to 15g, it is still five times higher than the ‘3g of fat per serving’ that officially qualifies a food as ‘low fat’. Secondly, lost flavour is often replaced by sugar in reduced fat products, and calorie count remains high. Don’t diet in denial — read the label!


3. Social smoking
You might think that the ‘odd cigarette’ that you have with a few drinks on a night out is pretty harmless, but you are treading on dangerous ground with a drug as addictive as nicotine. It only takes seconds for nicotine to reach the brain, but its effects — including increased nervous system activity, elevated heart rate, blood sugar elevation and narrowing of the blood vessels — can last for an entire day. And it doesn’t matter if you smoke only one cigarette a week or one pack — the damaging effects start right away and get worse as you continue smoking. Also, people who only smoke occasionally are less likely to ever stop than heavier smokers. And what if your occasional smoke is a joint? Well, while it’s unlikely that you would smoke as many joints as cigarettes, marijuana has three times the amount of tar as tobacco and three to five times the amount of carbon monoxide.


4. Drinking too much caffeine
There is nothing wrong with the odd cup of tea or coffee, but if the staff in Starbucks know you by name, you may be overdoing it! Excessive caffeine intake overstimulates the adrenal glands so that they become ‘switched on’ all the time, and therefore make you feel constantly nervy or edgy. Caffeine also increases the heart rate, affects sleep patterns and can cause headaches and tummy upsets. Also, bear in mind that if you drink cappuccinos or lattes, you are taking in quite a considerable number of calories in every cup. The best advice is to go for quality rather than quantity and to really savour a few cups of tea or coffee, rather than to drink it mindlessly throughout the day.


5. Keeping water in a re-used plastic bottle
Drinking plenty of water contributes to good health, but re-using a plastic bottle to store water in isn’t a good idea. While the jury is still out on whether there is any danger from potentially carcinogenic substances ‘leaching out’ from polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles after they have been opened, a University of Calgary study found bacteria thriving in water samples taken from students’ bottles that had been used and then refilled without being cleaned. If you do choose to re-use a plastic bottle — or use a sports drink container — wash it out with hot soapy water and dry it thoroughly between uses to keep germs at bay.


6. Not checking yourself out
Ladies — when did you last check your breasts? Sorry to be so personal, but performing these simple self health-checks could save your life. For example, research shows that the majority of breast cancer symptoms are first spotted by the women themselves. The best time to check your breasts is just after your period, when they tend to be softer. Use the flat side of your hand to move gently over each breast in a circular motion, checking under the armpits as well as across the entire surface of each breast. Also, look in the mirror with your hands on your hips and then on your head to check for symmetry, and look for any dimples, bulges or other irregularities. Men should regularly check their testicles in the bath or shower, feeling for any lumps or swelling, tenderness or change in size. And see your doctor immediately if you spot blood in your urine.


7. Failing to set up your workstation properly
A chair that’s too low or too high, a flickering screen, a desk set-up that means your spine or neck is twisted — all these workstation faux pas take their toll on your musculoskeletal system, causing everything from headaches and neck pain, to hunched shoulders and backache. The thing to bear in mind when setting up your workstation is right angles. You want your hips and knees at a right angle, with your feet supported by the floor or on a footrest, then you want your elbows at a right angle, forearms supported by the desk or keyboard support. Your eyeline should be level with the top of the screen. No matter how perfect your desk set-up, you should also get up at least once an hour to walk around and stretch.


8. Bottling up stress
A life without stress would be a life lived in a sealed, sterile box — but there are ways of learning to deal with stress which work better than the ‘stiff upper lip’ approach. And learning a few coping mechanisms is well worthwhile, as the evidence that stress can be detrimental to your health is now irrefutable. High levels of stress are associated with heart disease, high blood pressure and metabolic syndrome as well as a compromised immune system and weight gain. Research at Ohio University found that couples undergoing marital conflict took 60 per cent longer to heal from blisters than they did when they were getting on well, while other research found that stressed people exposed to a cold virus were more likely to catch a cold than non-stressed folk.